GEORGE TOWN The state government came under criticism yesterday after tonnes of earth from the hilltop development projects along Batu Feringghi were washed into the sea during a heavy downpour yesterday morning.

The shoddy placement of plastic sheets at a hilltop development project in Batu Ferringhi has exposed the earth.

The clear waters along the popular beach front, from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi, were dirtied with layers of mud and silt.

A check at the site showed that the soil surrounding the projects roundly condemned by residents, was exposed.

This caused the earth to be washed away by rain, which poured down from early morning till about 10am yesterday.

Plastic sheets which were supposed to cover the surface of soil at the upmarket development projects were scattered around the site.

Mohd Ridzuan Kamil, 34, from Kelantan, said he was disgusted by the environmental degradation at the tourist site.

He said this was not the first time that he had seen the pollution caused by the projects.

"The hilltop developers should have ensured that the plastic sheets were in place at all times, to avoid soil from being washed into the sea.

"It is obvious the authorities have failed to act against the developers despite their blatant disregard for the environment."

Another visitor, Richard Tan, 36, from Selangor, criticised the state government and local authorities for their lack of political will to act against the developers.

"The authorities have failed to clamp down on errant developers who do not adhere to hillslope safety regulations."

The residents, especially those who had been living near the beach stretch for almost four decades, had protested against the development projects and pressed the state government to do something about them.

They complained that they had never encountered flash floods and mud being washed into the homes until the projects were approved.

Since the developers began the cutting of the hill, there has not been much attempt to cover the hillsides with plastic sheets.

This had caused water run-off, with massive amounts of silt, debris and stones being washed downhill.